St. Peter's Basilica Church

Address: Basilica di San Pietro, Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City

Website: http://www.vatican.va/

Hours: Typical visiting hours: Apr-Sep ~7:00am-7:00pm; Oct-Mar ~7:00am-6:30pm. Times may vary for liturgies and special events.

Admission: Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is free. There is a fee to climb the dome (lift/stairs options) - approximately €10-€12 for the elevator+stairs option (prices subject to change).

St. Peter’s Basilica is the principal church of the Vatican City and one of the largest Renaissance-era churches in the world. Construction of the present basilica took place primarily between 1506 and 1626 on the traditional site of Saint Peter’s tomb.

The interior contains major artworks and architectural features including Michelangelo’s dome, Bernini’s Baldachin over the papal altar, and numerous chapels and tombs. The basilica can accommodate tens of thousands of people and visitors commonly tour the nave, crypt area traditionally associated with Saint Peter’s tomb, and the dome-access to the dome provides panoramic views over the Vatican and Rome. St. Peter’s Square, designed by Bernini, is an integral exterior space used for large public liturgies.

Built to replace an earlier constantinian basilica, the church was designed and executed by several leading architects and artists of the Renaissance and Baroque eras, including Bramante, Michelangelo, and Bernini. It has been the site of papal ceremonies, canonizations and major Catholic events since its completion.

The basilica occupies the Vatican Hill within the sovereign territory of Vatican City, immediately west of the Tiber River and surrounded by Rome; St. Peter’s Square provides the main approach from the city.

• Size and dome height: The basilica’s length is about 220 metres and the dome reaches roughly 136.6 metres above the floor, making it one of the largest churches in the world.
• Access and practicalities: Access is through St. Peter’s Square; security screening is standard and visiting times may be restricted for liturgical events or papal ceremonies.

What to See#

• St. Peter’s Square: Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s colonnades form an elliptical forecourt known as St. Peter’s Square, designed to frame the basilica’s entrance and host large gatherings.
• Baldachin and papal altar: The central baldachin by Gian Lorenzo Bernini stands over the papal altar and the traditionally identified tomb of Saint Peter beneath the high altar.

St. Peter’s Basilica sits at the heart of Vatican City at the end of Via della Conciliazione. From central Rome take Metro line A to Ottaviano-San Pietro or Cipro and then walk roughly 5-10 minutes to St. Peter’s Square. Several bus routes also stop near the Vatican (for example buses serving Piazza Pia and Borgo Pio).

By car follow signs for Vatican City/Via della Conciliazione; the basilica is a short walk from Rome’s central areas (parking around the Vatican is limited and typically by paid car parks or on-street spaces in the surrounding streets).

• Arrive before the basilica opens to reduce time spent in the security queue and to see the Pietà with fewer people; entry to the basilica itself is free.
• If you want views, buy a ticket to climb the dome (there's an elevator partway) - the internal guided tour is separate and the climb has timed access.
• For a rare experience book the Scavi (necropolis) tour well in advance through the Vatican office - it's the only way to visit the archaeological area beneath the basilica.